President Milanović speaks with Finnish President Niinistö

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović spoke on the phone today with the President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö. The topic of their conversation, initiated by President Niinistö, was Finland’s application for membership in NATO, and the forthcoming meeting of NATO heads of state and governments to be held in Madrid at the end of June.

President Milanović informed the Finnish president of his position as regards NATO enlargement. He said that in principle he does not oppose Finland’s membership in NATO, but acquainted him with the serious political crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina threatening the survival of Croats as a constituent people in BiH and also jeopardizing the national interests of the Republic of Croatia. In the phone call, President Milanović explained in detail to President Niinistö that the Croats in BiH have been subjected to election manipulations for years, and that once again they are being forced to participate in elections that will be held according to unconstitutional election rules.

The Croats in BiH have been deprived of the possibility of electing their legitimate representatives in government bodies, which is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Dayton Agreement, and discriminates the Croats as a constituent people of BiH, President MIlanović told the Finnish President in their telephone conversation. President Milanović underlined that Croatia’s interest is a politically and security stable BiH in which all three constituent peoples will be allowed to choose their legitimate representatives, and this should be in the interest of the European Union and NATO  as well.

The Republic of Croatia expects understanding from its partners in the EU and NATO in terms of the need to protect the rights of Croats in BiH, and consequently the protection of its national interests, including Finland’s understanding, which is Croatia’s partner in the EU, President Milanović told President Niinistö in their telephone conversation.

During the phone call, Finnish President Niinistö invited President Milanović to pay an Official visit to the Republic of Finland, which the Croatian President accepted.